Stout Volleyball Player Reaches Career Milestone

A member of the University of Wisconsin–Stout Volleyball team has reached a career milestone of 1,000 kills. A kill is an attack that is un-returnable. Ashley Pratt, the only senior on the team, scored her 1,000th kill against St. Thomas at the River Falls Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 16.

Pratt’s accomplishment was celebrated before the team’s conference opener against University of Wisconsin–Platteville on Sept. 20. Pratt was presented with the game ball from the St. Thomas match, and her feat was announced to the crowd.

Pratt’s 1,000th kill was a set to the back corner of the court after a long volley with the Tommies. Pratt said that is her go-to move in volleyball.

“My 999th kill was a slide that I hit the 12-foot line on, so it’s funny that my 1,000th kill was something so simple.”

Breaking 1,000 kills is something Pratt has wanted to accomplish since her freshman year at UW–Stout. She recalled watching a senior player at the time, Morgan Denny, break 1,000 kills and how watching someone she looked up to accomplish that really motivated her.

2017 UW-Stout Volleyball Head Shots

Pratt’s teammates were elated for her. A junior on the team, Carissa Hilgers (Minnetonka, Minn.), said the whole volleyball program was “incredibly proud” of Pratt. Hilgers described watching Pratt lead since she was a freshman.

“Not only is Ashley a great leader and teammate, she’s also a great friend; she is there for anyone on our team when they need her,” Hilger said. “Ashley’s leadership style this year and in the past has shown others what it’s like to work hard and be an athlete at Stout.”

“Reaching 1,000 career kills is a huge milestone in one’s volleyball career,” Kennedy Strain (Elk River, Minn.), junior said. “Ashley works super hard in the gym and it shows by her reaching 1,000 career kills.”

This will be Pratt’s last season of volleyball. She said that her goals for the season are to go deep into the playoffs and win conference. She added that she wants the season to be “fun and light-hearted.”

“The people I would like to thank are first my parents; they have been my biggest supporters throughout this whole process. I would also like to thank my coaches. They care so much about my teammates and I, and they don’t get enough credit, lastly, would be my teammates. I am blessed to be able to play my last season with my teammates now,” Pratt said.